Do you have bulbs or perennials in your flower beds? The best way to protect them from fluctuating temperatures is by mulching. Fluctuating temperatures can heave your plants and bulbs right out of the ground and damage or kill the plant. Three to four inches around trees and one to two inches in your flower beds is sufficient.

If you mow and bag your leaves you get a great shredded/mulched mix to put on your flower beds. This a great solution to where to put those leaves if you don’t have a compost pile – but – you have to wait til the ground is frozen before applying. The winter rain and melting snow will take the nutrients from the decomposing mulch and distribute the nutrients to the soil for your plants to use.

Mulch also keeps the soil warm and encourages continued growth through the cold months. When Spring finally arrives those roots will be stronger, the plant will be healthier and will require less water.

If you decide to blow leaves into your garden keep a watchful eye out in Spring for when bulbs and plants start to emerge. Because those leaves are large and flat they can smother new growth. Be sure to remove this mulch early so you don’t have yellow spindly growth.

Other materials that can be used are straw, grass clippings and pine needles. These will not smother like the whole leaves do and can be either worked into the soil in Spring or removed.

You’ve got free mulch coming! Really. All those fallen leaves can be put to good use for a Fall mulch.

When you mulch in the Spring or Summer it is to help control weeds. There’s a different reason for Fall mulching. In the coming months temperatures will fluctuate tremendously. The ground will heave as it freezes and thaws forcing the roots of many plants up out of the soil and exposing the roots. As it does in the warmer months mulch will help maintain an even temperature to prevent heaving.

The best time to apply Fall mulch is when the ground is frozen or almost frozen. Some of the best things to use are:

Leaves

Shred up those fallen leaves to make a great organic mulch that will break down throughout the year and add nutrients. You’ll need about 6 inches of leaves for mulch.

Don’t use whole leaves, they will pack down and smother everything underneath.

If you still have plenty of leaves left over put them in your compost pile to use in your gardens or lawns when they turn to “black gold”.

Wood shavings

You can use less material when using wood shavings, about 3-4 inches is sufficient.

Hardwood shavings are better than pine or spruce for better moisture retention.

If you want something decorative, wood shavings would be a good choice.

Straw

If you use straw, you need more than wood shavings or even leaves. 6-8 inches is needed.

Before putting down straw you’ll need to add nitrogen to the area to balance Ph. Straw is high in carbon which removes nitrogen. Adding blood meal to the area is a good choice.

Don’t apply before the ground is frozen or it will encourage mold and mildew.

If you can’t find straw don’t use hay. It carries weed seeds that will sprout and cause more problems than you anticipated.

Compost

Four to six inches of compost will protect your plants and provide valuable nutrients to the soil.

After applying the mulch make sure you pull it back to leave space between the trunk of the tree or plants. Mulching too close to the trunk may create the perfect conditions disease or pests.

Trees in their natural environment have a blanket of leaves and organic materials. The typical home landscape is much harsher. It’s usually got poor soil, very little organic matter and fluctuating moisture and temperature. Applying mulch will:

Reduce weeds. A 2-4 inch layer will reduce growth and germination of weeds.

Moderate soil temperatures. Mulch will keep the soil warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Improve soil structure. Mulch breaks down and provides nutrients and aerates the soil.

Make your trees feel like they’re back in the forest – but better. With a few inches of mulch they’ll look beautiful and be healthier.

Trees in their natural environment have a blanket of leaves and organic materials. The typical home landscape is much harsher. It’s usually got poor soil, very little organic matter and fluctuating moisture and temperature. Applying mulch will:

·Reduce weeds. A 2-4 inch layer will reduce growth and germination of weeds.

·Moderate soil temperatures. Mulch will keep the soil warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

·Improve soil structure. Mulch breaks down and provides nutrients and aerates the soil.

Make your trees feel like they’re back in the forest – but better. With a few inches of mulch they’ll look beautiful and be healthier.

Mulching is one of the best tings a homeowner can do to keep their trees healthy. Applying mulch retains moisture, provides nutrients, minimizes temperature fluctuation and reduces weeds.

Here are some guidelines for mulching trees:

Determine the area to be mulched. Plan to mulch at least to the drip line (the widest part of the tree). The roots are usually just inches below the soil and will absorb the nutrients.

If the area’s already been mulched check to see how deep it is. Loosen the old mulch to improve drainage and refresh the appearance. If it’s already 4 inches deep do not apply any more; if it’s not, mulch to a maximum of 4 inches deep.

Be careful not to mulch too deep. A thick layer can prevent air and water from getting to the roots.

If the mulch is up against stems or the tree trunk pull it back several inches until the base of the trunk and root crown show. This step will reduce stress on the stems and reduce insect, rodent and disease problems.

If this is the first time mulching or if there is very little mulch around the tree you may want to consider putting down a Landscape Fabric to further prevent weeds. AJT sells a geotextile with the latest technologies built in. Ask about our Fabriscape line.

Mulching is one of the best tings a homeowner can do to keep their trees healthy. Applying mulch retains moisture, provides nutrients, minimizes temperature fluctuation and reduces weeds.

Here are some guidelines for mulching trees:

·Determine the area to be mulched. Plan to mulch at least to the drip line (the widest part of the tree). The roots are usually just inches below the soil and will absorb the nutrients.

·If the area’s already been mulched check to see how deep it is. Loosen the old mulch to improve drainage and refresh the appearance. If it’s already 4 inches deep do not apply any more; if it’s not, mulch to a maximum of 4 inches deep.

·Be careful not to mulch too deep. A thick layer can prevent air and water from getting to the roots.

·If the mulch is up against stems or the tree trunk pull it back several inches until the base of the trunk and root crown show. This step will reduce stress on the stems and reduce insect, rodent and disease problems.

With each passing season, I get a little more gray hair. My wife says I look more sophisticated, but I also know it is okay, because it indicates I’m wise. But where does that wisdom come from?

AJT Supplies. Those guys help me turn my nightmare yard into the property of my dreams. You may think I’m exaggerating, but I’m not. There’s nothing worse than going to Home Depot and seeing some crappy mulch on sale, and expecting it to do the job for all your spots in the yard, such as small trees, large trees, flower beds and hedges.

Not only does AJT have a great selection, but they know what will work best, in terms of ease of planting, mowing issues, and of course watering. And if they can’t help me, which almost never happens, they always can recommend someone else. Frankly, it’s a joy to deal with them.

The fact is, I’d have a lot more gray hair if it weren’t for them. I’m thankful for the honest, hard-working people Albert has on staff. Don’t know what I’d do without them.